The ATSB today released a request for tender to acquire the services of a specialist company capable of conducting a deep-water search under ATSB direction for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Engaged as a prime contractor, the company will provide the expertise, equipment and vessel(s) necessary to undertake an intensified underwater search for the missing Boeing 777 aircraft in the defined zone in the southern Indian Ocean. While the precise search zone is currently being established by an international search strategy working group, it is expected that the successful tenderer will…

The ATSB is urging pilots of single-engine aircraft to plan for partial power loss, following the release of a new educational video. Between 2000 and 2010, there were nine fatal accidents resulting in 20 people losing their lives as a result of a response to a partial power loss soon after take-off. Importantly, there were no fatal accidents where the engine initially completely failed. ATSB research manager Dr Stuart Godley says the high number of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from partial power loss should be of concern to pilots and flight instructors. “Historically, the…

The ATSB will today conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 14 October 2014 aircraft accident of a Van’s RV-6A, at Chelsea, Melbourne, Victoria. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed three investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports as well as video or imagery that might…

Onsite media briefing: The ATSB will conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 20 July 2014 aircraft accident near Burrumbuttock, NSW. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed two investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the circumstances around the accident and gather information from the wreckage site, witnesses and aircraft maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports…

In response to a request from the Ukrainian authorities, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is deploying two of its investigators to Kiev to support an international investigation into the events surrounding the tragic crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The investigators, with backgrounds in aircraft operations and aeronautical engineering, will form part of a concerted international effort to determine the cause of the crash of MH17. The investigators are expected to arrive in Kiev on Tuesday 22 July.

The ATSB today released a report warning pilots on the dangers of flying visually at night following a number of fatal accidents that occurred in dark-night conditions. The report comes shortly after the release of the ATSB’s investigation into the fatal helicopter crash at Lake Eyre where the pilot likely became spatially disoriented during a visual flight at night. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said accidents involving visual flight at night are becoming an increasing safety concern in Australian aviation. “Over the past 20 years, the ATSB has investigated 36 accidents as a…

The ATSB is highlighting the safety risks of flying around non-towered aerodromes as part of this week’s national Ausfly conference at Narromine, NSW. Narromine is expected to host hundreds of pilots who will fly in for Ausfly from all over Australia between 12 and 15 September. This is set to make Narromine Airport one of the busiest non-towered aerodromes in the country during that period. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan, said that safety around non-towered aerodromes is one of the ATSB’s top transport safety priorities. “The ATSB often receives reports from pilots that another…

The ATSB will conduct an on-site media briefing on its investigation into the 23 September 2013 aircraft accident near Hamilton Airport, Victoria. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed three investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports that might assist the investigation. Witnesses can call the ATSB…

    Search operation for Malaysia Airlines aircraft Media Release - 28 March 2014 The search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been updated after a new credible lead was provided to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). As a result, today’s search will shift to an area 1,100 kilometres to the north-east based on updated advice provided by the international investigation team in Malaysia. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Australia’s investigation agency, has examined this advice and determined that this is the most credible lead to where…

A research report released today by the ATSB reveals that the vast majority of loss of aircraft separation occurrences in Australia present little or no risk of collision, but more can be done to improve safety. (A loss of separation occurs when two aircraft under air traffic control come closer than a minimum separation distance.) The report shows that Australia has one of the lowest loss-of-separation occurrence rates, attributable to civilian air traffic control, in the world. A loss of separation (LOS) between aircraft under air traffic control happens on average once every 3 days. In…